Joberg2C Day 1 Karan Beef (Heidelberg) to Frankfort Sports Grounds

Day 1 – Karan Beef (Heidelberg) to Frankfort Sports Grounds

Nothing has changed for this “warm-up” day except to say you will pedal every k which makes it deceptively tough. Life is all about percentages – on a 900km journey we need to make sure you have a large percentage of happiness to override a small percentage of “afkak”.

Distance: 116km
Descent: 867m
Ascent: 855m

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Water Point 1 at 26.5km, run by Life Ministries
Water Point 2 at 58.2km, run by Life Ministries
Water Point 3 at 89.0km, run by Bambi Nursery School

First published on http://joberg2c.co.za/

Description:

A crisp early morning start at Karan Beef. A nice rolling, chilled first few kilometres before your legs get their morning wake-up call Karan Koppie. This is the highest point of day 1 and, on a clear day, if you look south you can almost see Scottburgh 900km away.
A really sweet section of single-track around 4km sets the tone for the journey ahead: long stretches mixed with sections of happiness.
Then it’s into private farmlands starting at the picturesque De Hoek guesthouse, through to the Zingela game farm, across the Suikerbos River on to some flowing single-track through Carel Kriek’s farmyard and then onto long straights surrounded by mielies for Africa. After exiting Hansie Jordaan’s farm, it is on to some fast district road.

Water Point 1, run by Life Ministries, is situated just past the 26km mark. From Water Point 1 to the Vaal Dam is fast along quiet district and farm roads. Remember there are no road closures so watch out for farmers in a hurry – stay left.

You will move through 30km quickly until you get to the famous Vaal River crossing on John Devonport’s farm.

Stock up at the festive Water Point 2, also run by Life Ministries, as there is still 60km to go once you cross the Vaal – into Nic Adams private land and onto some beautiful country back roads that seem to stick next to the Wilge River forever until Frankfort. You will meander along the Wilge, which feeds into the Vaal for a fair distance, until Water Point 3 on Andre Viljoen’s awesome retreat.

This vibrant Water Point is hosted by Bambi Nursery School and some really chilled farmers. From Water Point 3 until town, we pass through farms and more farms. You will never get to this part of the world unless you ride bikes and without these farmers allowing us to ride through their remote lands.

There is not much climbing on day 1, it is a neutral day to warm up for the week but remember you pedal every kilometre, so pace yourself.
The entry into Frankfort is a welcoming sight. You will work your way through the town on the only bit of tar for the day. A hot shower, great Karan Beef rump streaks and lots of banter await.

For the racers, day 2 looms. For the riders the journey will continue.

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